1 Rāj, cik gribi, šis zina labāk,
bet piepeši piemeklēts – un nav dziedināms!
2 Kad taisnie pieņemas, tauta līksmo,
kad ļaundari valda, tauta sten.
3 Kas gudrību mīl, priecē savu tēvu,
kas pie maukām staigā, izputina mantu.
4 Ar tiesu un taisnību ķēniņš var stiprināt valsti –
bet, kas nodokļus ceļ, tas to putina!
5 Kas glaimo savam tuvākajam,
tas izmet tīklus zem viņa kājām.
6 Ļaundara grēks – lamatas pašam,
bet taisnais līksmo un gavilē.
7 Taisnais rūpējas par nabago tiesībām,
ļaundaris neliekas ne zinis.
8 Kūdītāji satrauc pilsētu,
bet gudrie novērš naidu.
9 Vai gudrais tiesāsies ar muļķi –
te tas skaišas, te smej, jēgas nekādas!
10 Asinskārie nīst krietno,
bet taisnie sargā viņa dzīvību.
11 Muļķis izgāž savas dusmas,
gudrais tās savalda.
12 Ja valdnieks ieklausās melu runās,
visi viņa kalpi top ļaundari.
13 Sūrdienis un varmāka – abi līdzās,
acu gaismu abiem dod Kungs.
14 Ja ķēniņš tiesā nabagos taisnīgi,
viņa tronis stiprs mūžam.
15 Rīkste un rājiens nes gudrību –
izlutis bērns mātei par kaunu.
16 Kad pieņemas spēkā ļaundari, pieņemas grēks,
gan taisnie redzēs tos krītam.
17 Rāj savu dēlu – būs tev tīksms prāts,
viņš kārumiem mielos tavu dvēseli!
18 Ja pravieši klusē, tauta izlut –
svētīts, kas pie bauslības turas!
19 Ar vārdiem vien kalps nav pārmācāms –
gan saprot, bet neliekas dzirdam!
20 Palūk uz vīru, kas vārdos steidzīgs, –
no muļķa var vairāk cerēt nekā no tāda!
21 Kad kalpu kopš zēnības lutina,
tas izaug par stūrgalvi.
22 Kas ātrs sirdī, drīz saceļ strīdu,
kas nasks dusmot, tas bieži noziedzas.
23 Kas lepns, tas zemu kritīs,
kas pazemīgs garā, tas mantos godu.
24 Zagļa līdzzinātājs nīst pats sevi –
viņš dzird sevi lādam, taču viņam ir jāklusē!
25 Bailes no cilvēkiem ved slazdā –
kas uz Kungu paļaujas, tas pasargāts!
26 Daudzi lūko pēc valdnieka vēlības,
bet tikai Kungs spriež cilvēkiem tiesu.
27 Riebj taisnajiem katrs, kas dara pārestību, –
riebj ļaundariem, kurš iet taisnus ceļus.
Use Good Sense
1 If you keep being stubborn
after many warnings,
you will suddenly discover
you have gone too far.
2 When justice rules a nation,
everyone is glad;
when injustice rules,
everyone groans.
3 If you love wisdom
your parents will be glad,
but chasing after bad women
will cost you everything.
4 An honest ruler
makes the nation strong;
a ruler who takes bribes
will bring it to ruin.
5 Flattery is nothing less
than setting a trap.
6 Your sins will catch you,
but everyone who lives right
will sing and celebrate.
7 The wicked don't care
about the rights of the poor,
but good people do.
8 Sneering at others is a spark
that sets a city on fire;
using good sense can put out
the flames of anger.
9 Be wise and don't sue a fool.
You won't get satisfaction,
because all the fool will do
is sneer and shout.
10 A murderer hates everyone
who is honest
and lives right.
11 Don't be a fool
and quickly lose your temper—
be sensible and patient.
12 A ruler who listens to lies
will have corrupt officials.
13 The poor and all who abuse them
must each depend on God
for light.
14 Kings who are fair to the poor
will rule a long time.
15 Correct your children,
and they will be wise;
children out of control
disgrace their mothers.
16 Crime increases
when crooks are in power,
but law-abiding citizens
will see them fall.
17 If you correct your children,
they will bring you peace
and happiness.
18 Without guidance from God
law and order disappear,
but God blesses everyone
who obeys his Law.
19 Even when servants are smart,
it takes more than words
to make them obey.
20 There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.
21 Slaves that you treat kindly
from their childhood
will cause you sorrow.
22 A person with a quick temper
stirs up arguments
and commits a lot of sins.
23 Too much pride brings disgrace;
humility leads to honor.
24 If you take part in a crime
you are your worst enemy,
because even under oath
you can't tell the truth.
25 Don't fall into the trap
of being a coward—
trust the Lord,
and you will be safe.
26 Many try to make friends
with a ruler,
but justice comes
from the Lord.
27 Good people and criminals
can't stand each other.
